This is Your Permission to Make Art, Even If You Aren’t Good at It
Hey, creative soul! This is your official permission slip to make bad art. Yes, you heard me right. Bad. Art. Whether you’re a painter, poet, designer, dancer, or into some other form of creativity, I’m giving you the green light to go ahead and make something that might not be perfect—and that’s totally okay.
Everyone Starts Somewhere
We all start somewhere, right? None of us were born masters. I mean, you wouldn’t expect a toddler to draw like Picasso, would you? Yet, somehow, we get caught up in this idea that we should be good at things right out of the gate. Nope! That’s not how creativity works. Below is a photo of the first cup i made on my amateur pottery wheel. I was just leaning the basics and had to focus more on the process than the outcome. Which brings me to my next point!
Process > The Outcome:
The act of creating is where the magic happens. It’s in the moments of experimenting, failing, and learning that we grow. The outcome might not always be "perfect," but the process helps us discover new techniques, push past creative blocks, and connect more deeply with ourself. The journey of creation is often more meaningful than the end result, because it's where we find our true voice and embrace the joy of self-expression.
Good Is Highly Subjective
Now, I’m going to let you in on a little secret: good is super-duper subjective. I have a mixed media self-portrait I made years ago. It’s supposed to represent the contrast between the different parts of me, bright and drab, happy and sad, woke and in denial. And let me tell you—I still look at it and want to destroy it. I think it’s a complete disaster. But you know who loves it? My teenagers. They insist I keep it, even though every fiber of my being wants to toss it in a trash bag. The point is, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You never know who might see your so-called "flop" and think it’s their fortune. Your art could speak to someone in ways you never imagined.
Art is Resistance
I’m going to get a little manifesto-y for a sec, but hang with me: art is resistance. It’s a powerful rebellion against a world that’s obsessed with hustle culture and results. It’s a pushback against the idea that our creations only matter if they’re marketable or exchanged for money. The world tells us that everything we make needs to be perfect, or else it’s not "worthy." But you and I both know that’s a bunch of nonsense. Art is valuable in its messiness, its imperfection, and its authenticity. When you make art without worrying about the end result, you’re resisting the need to be perfect. You’re doing it just because it feels good. You are actively pushing back against a culture that defines your worth by the quality and quantity of your output.
This is Your Permission
So here it is, your official permission slip to start making bad art today. Seriously. Grab whatever supplies you have on hand—maybe even some you’ve never used before—and just dive in. Experiment. Try new techniques or materials. Use them wrong—on purpose, even! The key is to embrace the process, to have fun with it, and to not get hung up on the outcome. Who knows? That "bad" painting or sketch could be the start of something wonderful—or at least give you a good laugh.
Remember, it’s all about the joy of creating. It’s all about that moment where you lose yourself in the act of making, and nothing else matters. So go ahead, embrace the mess, and give yourself permission to make something that’s just for you—even if it’s not "good."
Happy creating, and remember: bad art is better than no art at all!
